Rebranded hotel sets two records

Bong (left) presenting the certification for ‘Tallest Automated Hotel Car Park’ to Albert (second from right). With them are Chow (second from left) and Wei Ren. — KT GOH/The Star

M SUMMIT 191 Executive Hotel Suites in Penang marked its rebranding to The Granite Luxury Hotel with two entries in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR).

Its innovative three-tower, 71.2m-high vertical carpark accommodating 204 vehicles was recognised as the “Tallest Automated Hotel Car Park” in the country.

A transparent protruding section of its infinity pool was named the “Highest Cantilevered Acrylic Bottom Swimming Pool” being 49.5m above ground level.

The certificates were presented by MBR deputy general manager Aaron Bong to M Summit Group founder and managing director Datuk Albert Moh.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state had many award-winning places of interest that were invaluable assets for its tourism industry.

“All these attractions give people added reason to love Penang and can help us regain the momentum lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said during the ceremony.

Albert said the hotel’s automated carpark was an efficient parking solution for cities like George Town where land is scarce and parking lots limited.

By going vertical, a small footprint is effectively multiplied. All drivers have to do is drive onto a parking tray and exit the vehicle.

The tray then automatically rises and slots itself into available bays within the tower.

Each tray can accommodate a 2.3 tonne vehicle, up to 5.3m long, 1.95m high and 1.95m wide, sufficient for large multipurpose vehicles or even luxury sedans.

“This saves drivers time as they don’t have to hunt for roadside parking bays or circle up and around a multistorey carpark.

“This parking system also prevents break-ins, vandalism and theft,” Albert added.

The cantilevered acrylic bottom section of the hotel’s swimming pool measuring 447cm by 242.5cm gives swimmers clear view of the street below. It is part of the pool deck called The Mirage on Level 13 of the new block.

“It gives you the unique feeling of swimming in the sky while challenging those with a fear of heights,” Albert said when taking Chow on a tour of the facility.

Attendees were soon surprised by the appearance of a pair of “mermaids” who splashed around and obliged photo requests.

The hotel located along Magazine Road assumed its new name on Aug 1.

It also won two Asia Pacific Property Awards for “Best Leisure Development” and “Best New Hotel Construction and Design” in July.

Albert urged the state to compile a list of all its MBR-listed places of interest for promotional purposes.

Also present at the certificate presentation were the group’s purchasing director Datin Jennifer Ong, general manager Moh Wei Ren, hotel general manager Moh Wei Ken and development planning manager Moh Wei Khye.

The stay period at the new hotel is expected to kick off on Sept 1.